Steaming and drying apparatus



Feb 17, 1942. E. E. LICHTERMAN 2,223,119

STEAMING AND DRYING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 19, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 17, 1942. E. E. ucHTERMAN 2 9 STEAMING AND DRYING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 19, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 QFZ/ 6i26 ZI Zia 21 0772012 w? k j w/ Feb. 17, 1942. E, LICHTERMAN 2,273,119

STEAMING AND DRYING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 19, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 1'? 1942.

E. E. LICHTERMAN STEAMING AND DRYING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 19} 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,213,119 STEAMING AND DRYING APPARATUS Eugene E. Lichterman, Chicago, 111. Application December 19, 1938, Serial No. 246,599

2 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in steaming and drying apparatus and more particularly to such as are used for steaming and drying garments and the like.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of a combined steaming and drying apparatus'wherein a garment is subjected to diffused steam and then dried.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a steaming and drying apparatus in which a large volume of steam heated air is directed against a garment to effect an immediate drying thereof.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a unit valve construction wherein a single movement of the valve lever serves to admit steam into a diffusing ring for purposes of dampening a garment, and a similar reverse movement of the lever serves to shut off the admission of steam to the diifusing ring and to admit steam to the heating coils for purposes of drying said garment.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a device of the character described wherein a minimum of eifort and manipulation is required for operatiom A still further object of this invention is the provision of a combined steaming and drying apparatus which is simple in construction and highly efficient in operation.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown a device in accordance with this invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts through the several views:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing an embodiment of my invention and a preferred manner of connecting same to a source of steam supp y.

Fig. 1A is a rear elevational view of the valve structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal cross sectional view of the valve structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the valve structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a similar view taken on line 66 of Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 3 showing the valve in normal oil. position.

Fig. 8 is a similar view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 9-3 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a clamping lug.

Fig. 11 is a similar view of another combined lug and coupling.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the valve controlhandle and mounting.

In the drawings, wherein for purposes of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral designates a guard cage supported on a base 2|, and provided with clamping arms 22', reference being directed to applicants Patent No. 2,094,042, issued September 28, 1937, in which the construction is described in detail. A spiraled coil 23 provided with annular fins 24, integrally formed therewith, is mounted within the cage 20 and is supported by stirrups 25 which depend from the annular rib 26 of the cage 20. Cooperating lugs 28, engaging the stirrup bracing rib 29 and the cage bracing rib 30, serve to secure the coil 23 rigidly in the cage 20. The terminal portions of the coil 23 are coupled to conduit tubes 3| and 32 which lead to lug couplings 33 and 34, respectively, shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 11. Said lug couplings are adapted to be mounted on the annular bracing ribs 35, 36 and 31 of the cage 20 and are drilled for engagement with the conduit tubes 3| and 32, and for threaded engagement with the couplings 38 and 39 respectively. An electric fan 40 mounted on. the base 2| and actuated by a suitable switch 40a is adapted to direct a large volume of air upwardly over the coil 23 and fins 24 to cause the air to be heated when steam is circulated through said coils in a manner presently to be described.

A canvas hood 20a is arranged to enclose the lower portion of the cage structure 20 and is provided with annular spring means 201) which serve to support said hood on the cage. The hood is adapted to be adjustable so that the air intake area which is substantially the entire lower portion of the cage can be varied. When the hood 20a substantially encloses the lower cage portion the air intake area is reduced and consequently a smaller volume of air is blown by the fan 40.

As more of the intake area is exposed a greater volume oi air is correspondingly blown by the fan. It is particularly necessary to be able to vary the air pressure produced by the fan because garments of different materials will be positioned over the machine for drying. It will be obvious that it a garment of fine dainty material were subjected to a strong blast of air the garment would be irreparably damaged. It will thus be seen that by the use of a simple hood a control of air pressure is eifectively accomplished without the use of expensive electrical equipment to control the speed of the motor.

A steam ring 4| comprising a tube provided with apertures 42, positioned so that steam is directed upwardly and outwardly, is mounted on the interior at the cage 20 and'serves to diffuse the steam uniformly in a garment 21 placed over the cage 20. One end of said steam ring is connected by a conduit pipe 43 to a valve 64, presently to be described, and the other end is provided with an extension 44 and a pet cock 45 which serves to permit the escape of water which may be in the ring 4|. It will be seen that by forming the apertures 42, in the top of the ring 4|, 3. channel is provided in the lower portion of said ring wherein condensate might flow. In this manner, the danger of the condensate being forced through the steam apertures 42 and being splashed on a garment is minimized.

The valve housing structure indicated generally at 46 is provided with a plurality of ports and channels presently to be described, through which steam is arranged to flow.

Referring to Fig. 3, steam inlet and outlet return ports 48 and 49, respectively, are provided in the housing 46 and are tapped to receive couplings 50 and 5| for conduitpipes and other necessary equipment subsequently to be described. Positioned in a horizontal plane of alignment with the inlet port 48 is a channel 52 shown in Fig. 5, and by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. Said channel leads to the outlet port 53 of the housing 46 and connects to a coupling 38 which is connected to the conduit 3| of the heating coil 28. Positioned in similar alignment with the outlet return port 49 is a channel 54 shown in Fig. 6, and by the dotted line in Fig. 3. Said channel leads to the inlet return port 55 of the housing and connects to a coupling 39 which is connected to the return conduit 32 of the heating coil 28. It will be seen by reference to Figs.

5 and 6 that the channels 52 and 54 by-pass the steam separating chamber 56 formed in the housing 46.

Positioned in the same horizontal plane as the channel 62, but apart therefrom, is a channel 58 which turns upwardly and leads to a chamber 59 above the steam separating chamber 56. A return channel 60 leads from the bottom of the steam separating chamber 56. Leading from the top of said separating chamber is a channel 6| which leads to a steam outlet port 62. An angle valve 64 is secured to said steam outlet port by a nipple 65 and to the conduit 43 by a coupling 66.

Referring to Fig. 3, the valve housing 46 is provided with a vertical bore 68 in which is fitted a cylindrical bushing 69 having a tapering internal bore 61 which serves as a seat for a correspondingly shaped valve core 10. The bushing 68 is threaded at the top and is provided with a packing 1| and a packing nut 12. The bottom of the bushing 69 is provided with a cap 13 and packing washer 14. A spring 11 abuts the inner side of the cap 13 and the bottom of the valve core 10 and serves to maintain said core firmly in its seat. Apertures which are adapted to serve as port openings are formed in the bushing in a horizontal plane 120 apart. Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, it will be seen that two sets of port openings are provided. The upper set comprising the ports 15, 16 and 11 are arranged to be in hori zontal alignment with the intake port 48 of the valve and the lower set of ports 19, 19 and are arranged to be in horizontal alignment with the outlet return port 49. A set screw 8| serves to hold the bushing 69 in fixed immovable position in the valve housing 46. A channel 82 formed in the inner wall of the bushing 69 and extending from the port 18 to the edge of said bushing serves to permit the entrance of steam into the chamber 83 formed between the cap it and the bottom side of the valve core 10. As the steam pressure becomes greater a tighter fit between the valve core 10 and the seat becomes necessary. By permitting the steam to enter the chamber 83 the pressure on the bottom of the valve core 10 is equalized with that in the steam line and consequently the fit between the valve core and its seat is automatically self adjusted to conform to the changing conditions of steam pressure.

The valve core 10 is provided with a tapering portion 10a which is adapted to cooperate with the tapering internal bore 61 of the bushing 69 which serves as a valve seat for said valve core. Substantially V shaped conduits 85 and 86 having their ports 120 apart are provided in the tapered portion 10a and are arranged to be in a horizontal plane of alignment with the apertures 15, 16, 11 and 1B, 19 and 80 respectively of the bushing 69. As will be seen by reference to Figs. 5 and 6, the conduits 65 and 86 are arranged to register with any two adjoining apertures oi the bushing which are in the same horizontal plane. Annular channels 101) are provided in the tapering portion 10a and are adapted to be filled with lubricant for lubricating the valve seat in the bushing 69. The upper portion 88 of the valve core 10 is tapered and is provided with a flat portion 89 as shown in Fig. 12. A valve control handle 90 having a correspondingly shaped bore 6| is adapted to be positioned on said upper portion 88 and is secured thereon by a nut 92.

A conventional steam separator shown in detail in Fig. 9, is adapted to'be fitted in the chamber 56 provided in the housing 46. The steam separator comprises a tubular member 95a having an enlarged cover portion 96 and a threaded portion 91 adapted to engage threads 86 in the top portion of the chamber 56. A plurality of longitudinal slots 99 are provided in the top portion of the member 95 for the admission or steam therein and similar slots I00 are ovided in the lower portion for the exit of the steam. Several layers of wire gauze |9I are wrapped around the lower portion of the member 95 and are held in position by a flanged disc I02 secured by a suitable bolt I03.

In Fig. 1 is shown a preferred manner of connecting the device to a source of steam supply. A globe valve I03 is mounted in the steam inlet pipe I04 while a check valve I06 and water trap I01 are mounted in the steam return pipe I08.

In operation a garment 21 is positioned over the cage 20 and secured thereon by the clamping members 22 in a manner as described in Patent No. 2,094,042, issued September 28, 1937. To steam the garment 21, the valve handle 90 is moved in a clockwise direction to the limit of its travel. In this position the conduits 85 and 86 of the valve core 10 register with the apertures 15, 16 and 18, 19 respectively of the bushings 69, as shown by the dotted lines in Figs. and 6. Steam from the inlet pipe I04 will then enter the conduit 85, pass through the aperture 16 into the channel 58, and then will pass into the upper chamber 59 where it will enter the inlet slots 98 of the separator 95. In the separator 95 the water will be removed from the steam and fall to the bottom of the chamber 56 and flow through the channel 60 into the port 19 through the conduit 86 and out through the return port 18 of the valve housing 46. When the device has not been used for some time it is desirable to permit steam to circulate for a short time before opening the angle valve 64 so that all condensate in the steam will be carried out through the trap I09 and the lines will be freed of water. When the valve 64 is opened, dry steam in the chamber 56 will pass through the channel 6|, through the valve 64, through the conduit pipe 43, and into the steam ring 4| where it will be diffused upwardly and outwardly through the apertures 42 in the general direction of the garment 21. Since the apertures 42 are positioned in the upper portion of the ring 4|, a channel is provided in the lower portion for draining off condensate which might gather in the ring 4|. In this way only steam escapes through the apertures 42 while the condensate with some steam is drained ofl through the conduit extension 44.

To dry the garment the steam is adapted to be passed through the heating coils and the same is effected in the following manner. The valve control handle 90 is moved in a counterclockwise direction so that the conduits 85 and 86 of the valve core 10 register with the ports 15, 11 and 18, 80 respectively of the bushing 69, as shown by the solid lines in Figs. 5 and 6.

Steam from the inlet pipes I04 will enter the conduit 85 and will necessarily flow through the port 11, through the chamber 52, through the conduit pipe 3|, into the heating coils 23 and in returning will flow through the conduit pipe 32, through channel 54, through the conduit 86 and into the return pipe I08.

The fan is operated by actuating the switch 40a and is maintained in continuous operation during the time that steam is passing through the steam coil 23. The high speed at which the fan operates causes a large'volume of air to pass over the steam coil 23 and be heated, the heated air passing upwardly and into the garment suspended over the cage to dry the garment. In normal off position, the lever 90 is positioned, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 so that the apertures 15, 16, 11 and 18, 19 and 80 of the bushing 68 are not in registering alignment with the conduits 85 and 86 of the valve core, respectively.

As shown in Fig. 1, a nozzle I05 having a discharge aperture |06 is coupled to a flexible hose I01 which is connected to the port 63. Said nozzle is provided with a valve control I08 for opening and closing the discharge aperture I06 of the nozzle I05. The means above described permit an operator to direct a stream of steam against a particular section of the garment 21. The steam treatment is thus localized and concentrated for more eflicient action.

While it is particularly desirable to use a unit valve structur combining the features hereinbefore described, it will be understood that valve constructions operating independently of each other can be used to control the flow of steam into the steam coil and the steam diffusing ring.

It will be seen that I have provided a machine for efficiently steaming and drying garments and requiring a minimum of effort in the operation thereof. By a simple movement of a control, steam is admitted to a diffusing element for steaming the garment and by a similar reverse movement the control shuts off the steam to the diffusing element and admits steam to a coil which serves to heat a large volume of air directed over said coil by a fan, the heated air effecting a drying of the garment.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described a cage structure, means for securing a garment thereover in an open position, a heat exchanger mounted in the upper portion of said cage structure, said heat exchanger formed of a continuous coil arranged substantially in conical form, means for discharging steam upwardly into the interior of said garment, said means comprising a tubular ring having a plurality of upwardly directed apertures and being disposed proximate to said heat exchanger and adapted to be heated thereby whereby condensation of steam in said steam discharging means is substantially eliminated and condensation initially present in said tubular ring is conducted away, and means for directing a current of air over said heat exchanger and into said garment to dry same.

2. In a machine of the character described, a cage structure, means for securing a garment thereover in an open position, a heat exchanger mounted in said cage structure, means comprising an annular perforated tube with the perforations in the upper portion of said tube for diffusing steam in the direction of said garment, and for conducting away condensation in said tube, said means being disposed proximate to said heat exchanger and adapted to be heated thereby whereby condensation of steam in said steam diffusing means is substantially eliminated, an upwardly delivering fan arranged to direct a current of air over said heat exchanger and into said garment to dry same.

EUGENE E. LICHI'ERMAN. 

